Children & Family Life

In order to work or volunteer with Children at St. John Vianney Parish all adults must complete a criminal background check to download background check form click HERE. After completing the forms, turn them into the parish office.

Celebrating Children at St. John Vianney Parish

To the parents of young children, may we suggest… relax, God put the wiggle in children, don’t feel you have to suppress it in His house.

Sit toward the front where it is easy for children to see and hear.

Help your child follow along in the Mass by suing the Magnifikid booklets provided by the hospitality ministers as you enter church.

Sing the hymns, pray the prayers and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by watching you.

If you need to leave mass with your child, please feel free to do so, but please come back.

Remember that the way we welcome children into the church directly affects the way they respond to the Church. Let them know they are at home in this liturgical space.

The parish nursery is available for free at the bottom of the stairs. It is staffed at the Sunday morning 8:30 am Mass and the 10:30 am Mass. The sound system from the church is pumped into the nursery. If you would like to stay down stairs with your child, you may, and you can still hear what is going on in the liturgy.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered during the Sunday 10:30 Mass all year long. Children do not need to register to come. Children 3 years old and up are welcomed, with or without a parent. They will be dismissed by Father right after the opening prayer and will return to the church right after the Homily. The kids will hear the gospel reading for that Sunday’s Liturgy and have time to talk about it, and explore it more than they do if they were in the Mass with the adults. There is no fee for Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

Baptism Preparation for children and infants:

Parents who are seeking baptism for children who are newborn up to 7 years old are asked to participate in a Baptism Preparation Program.

A letter from the parish saying that your Godparents are able to fulfill the responsibilites of being a Godparent.

Baptism Preparation for Children over the age of Seven Years:

Children over 7 years will come into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, adapted for children.

They will receive the gifts of the Sacraments of: Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist, all at once at the during our Easter Vigil Celebration. Children will attend classes along with their parents to grow and learn about Our Catholic Faith. They will participate in a number of beautiful rites with the entire parish community praying for them on their journey.

Baptism Preparation for Children over the age of Seven Years:

Children over 7 years will come into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, adapted for children.

They will receive the gifts of the Sacraments of: Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist, all at once at the during our Easter Vigil Celebration. Children will attend classes along with their parents to grow and learn about Our Catholic Faith. They will participate in a number of beautiful rites with the entire parish community praying for them on their journey.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Preparation 2015-16

First Reconciliation (Confession, penance) Children at or about the age of 7 years must have received the curriculum for the Sacrament of Reconciliation before they begin learning about the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

We will begin our Preparation Session for 2014-15 school year in September. Dates and times are below: A supply fee of 75.00 per child is requested.

Sacramental Preparation is a Family Focused opportunity. We provide parents with the curriculum to teach at home and then ask Parents and children to attend a monthy class as they prepare for these wonderful sacraments. Child care is provided for younger siblings during our sessions. Sessions are scheduled on Friday nights at 7:00 pm or Saturday mornings at 10:00 am. We repeat the same session twice, if on one month you can’t make it on a Friday just come on Saturday instead.

Friday, March 18, 2016 at 7:00 pm or Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 10:00 am

First Eucharist Retreat

Sunday April 24, 2016 time and place tba

Rehearsal for First Eucharist

Friday May 13, 2016 at 7:00 pm

Celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion

Sunday May 15, 2016 at 10:30 am Liturgy

First Communicants may lead the may lead the May Crowning Procession on Sunday May 10th at the 10:30 am Mass wearing thier First Communion Clothing!

Mom’s Morning Out:

Children ages 1-5 are invited to join us in the parish nursery from 9:30 am until 12 noon each Wednesday, registration is required. Parents can drop off thier children for child care and some catechesis while thier parent is free to get things done on thier own. There is a registration form to be filled out and there is often a waiting list for this ministry. There is a fee of $12.00 per day per child or $24.00 per family of 3 or more.

Please see the Preschool tab on the main webpage for a brochure, registration form and information about the amazing gift this program is to our children and families. REGISTRATION GOING ON NOW FOR THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR!

Catholic Kids’ Catechism Club grew out of the dreams of Laura Stanger, our Pastoral Assistant for Children and Family Life, and Chris Lystad, Catholic Kids’ Catechism Club’s Consultant-o-Fun! They wanted to have the joy and excitement that comes from a Vacation Bible School Experience lived out in our year round faith formation program.

Clubhouses compete against each other in challenges based on each grade levels individual Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines. Kids’ play icebreaker games for points, we pray together, memorize prayers and vocabulary words and complete challenges, that use many senses to bring the meaning of our Faith to life. We also proclaim the Gospel in an opening activity each week.

Each clubhouse completes tasks with the guidance of thier Clubhouse Leader or othe specialist who help support them.

CATHOLIC KIDS’ CATECHISM CLUB

Early Birds- ages 3 years to 5 years or in Kindergarten- During the Sunday 8:30 am Sunday Mass. We begin our session in room #6 and finish the session in our preschool room Room #2. Parents pick their child up after 8:30 Mass in room #2.

God’s Gang- Children in Grade 1- God’s Gang’s Clubhouse members learn about God and Creation in their first year in Catechism Club. Their clubhouse color is YELLOW and they gather at the Yellow Mat in room #6 on Sunday mornings at 9:15-10:20 am or at 7:00-8:00 pm on Monday Nights.

Meal Makers-Children in Grade 2- Meal Maker’s Clubhouse members learn about the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist their second year in Catechism Club. Their clubhouse color is RED and they gather on the Red Mat on Sunday mornings at 9:15-10:20 am or at 7:00-8:00 pm on Monday Nights.

Faithful Followers-Children in Grade 3- Faithful Follower’s Clubhouse members learn about The Catholic Church and Saints in their first year in Catechism Club. Their clubhouse color is BLUE and they gather at the Blue Mat on Sunday mornings at 9:15-10:20 am or at 7:00-8:00 pm on Monday Nights.

Busy Bees- Children in Grade 4- Busy Bee’s Clubhouse members learn about The Beatitudes, Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy and moral decision making in their forth year in Catechism Club. Their clubhouse color is Green and they gather at the Green Mat on Sunday mornings at 9:15-10:20 am or at 7:00-8:00 pm on Monday Nights.

Lucky Sevens-Children in Grade 5- Lucky Sevens Clubhouse members learn about the Seven Sacraments in thier fifth year in Catechism Club. Their clubhouse color is Purple and they gather at the White canvas mat colored with purple marker on Sunday mornings at 9:15-10:20 am or at 7:00-8:00 pm on Monday Nights.

Catholic Kids’ Catechism Club 2015-16 Schedule

Kids 3 years old through Kindergarten will attend our Early childhood program from 8:30 am on Sundays only. The class ends at 9:45 am.